Li Chao shot a four-under-par 68 to lie joint-second, one stroke behind Michael Lorenzo-Vera of France, after the first round of the 2.2 million U.S. dollars Volvo China Open, an Asian and European Tour co-sanctioned event.
The 27-year-old Li, winner of eight events on the Omega China Tour, is among 26 Chinese players competing in their national Open at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club this week.
Wu Kangchun, who won last year's Sofitel Golf Championship in his professional debut, was the country's next best performer with a 70, putting him joint 13th, while Liu Anda recorded an even-par 72 to share 28th place.
Liang Wenchong, fresh from his Masters debut last week, shot 73to join Wu Weihuang, Kong Weihai and also Chinese Taipei's Lu Wen-teh in a tie for 42nd. Last week, Lu became the Omega China Tour's first non-mainland champion by winning the Kunming Championship.
However, Zhang Lianwei, the 2003 champion and winner of the Omega China Tour's season-opening Guangzhou Championship last month, is in danger of missing the cut after a 77.
Instead, it was up to the six-foot four-inch Li to lead the Chinese charge, as the local star showed great character by recovering from a bogey on the third to birdie nine, 11, 13 and the final two holes.
"It's very important for me to do well in my national Open. I was born in Beijing and grew up here, so when I came back to my hometown this week, I desperately wanted to shoot some good scoresin front of my family and my friends," Li said.
Source:Xinhua
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